Does this sound like hypothyroidism?

[hormonejunkie]

My primary care doc tested my thyroid twice and said it was normal. I didn't inquire about exact numbers because I hadn't researched anything yet, and I'm now looking for a new, more compassionate primary care doctor. I also have an endo appointment (my first) scheduled in November as that was the earliest I could get in.

Basically, I feel like crap all the time since having my second baby. I haven't lost a single pound since delivering him, and I've never had problems losing weight. (With my first baby I held onto a little but lost more than half the weight within his first 6 months.) I am tired all the time, depressed for the first time in my life. Everything hurts for no reason. I have to muster up energy to do ANYTHING and each day I carefully choose which activities are priority. (I read the Spoon Theory and it sounded just like my life.) I feel puffy, especially in my hands and feet and also in my face. I have headaches at some point every day and often have trouble focusing.

I'm taking the necessary medical steps but was wondering, from those who had been diagnosed, if this sounds like hypothyroid or something else you can think of? It is so frustrating having to wait months to see a specialist. What can I do to feel better now?

[hormonejunkie]

Thanks for the response! I know it isn't something that can be diagnosed online, just wondered if maybe someone had similar symptoms that turned out to be something else. (Although then I suppose they wouldn't be on this board...) :)

I will try to get that testing done, even though that doctor is a **** and I will be leaving her. (She doesn't try to conceal the fact that she believes I'm looking for excuses for not losing weight. She is young and thin and doesn't seem to believe that I was too up until my second pregnancy. I've actually gained weight since delivery! I'm tempted to bring in photos of myself from a few years ago to emphasize my point but I think my best course is just to find someone who cares.)

[hormonejunkie]

When I have researched post-partum thyroiditis it fits perfectly, including the hyper phase. We will see I guess. Thanks for the quick response.

[Barb135]

Without knowing your exact hormone levels, it's hard for us to say whether your symptoms are thyroid related or not.  While they symptoms match those of hypothyroidism, they also match those of some vitamin/mineral deficiencies.  

While waiting for your endo appointment, you might try to get vitamin B12, ferritin/iron, vitamin D and magnesium levels tested.

Do you know what tests your doctor has actually been ordering?  Many doctors only order TSH test, which is a pituitary hormone and is a messenger to the thyroid to produce hormones, not an actual thyroid hormone.  You're entitled to copies of the lab reports and should always obtain a copy, even if you don't plan on staying with the doctor, just so you have a record of what's been done and what hasn't.

[Red_Star]

Post partum thyroiditis might be a possibility. This condition can be temporary however several studies have indicated that there are some factors that can predict whether hypothyroidism will be permanent and they include a hypothyroid phase that is not preceded by a hyperthyroid phase, high thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb), TSH levels over 20.